noisy taps

[TradeSecret]

Noise 1: squealing when running.
Cause: This sound is made by the tap washer spinning with the water flow.
Cure: Apply vaseline to the stem of the washer and replace (new washer if seal is damaged) Do not use grease as a lubricant as this water is for drinking.
Noise 2: Shudders when running.
Cause: As above, but now the washer is getting really excited and now it is jumping up and down and causing a vibration.
Cure: As above, lubricate. If the washer is the plastic/nylon type, you can slightly squash the stem making it a tight fit, to keep it still.
Noise 3: Bangs inside wall when a tap is turned off quickly.
Cause: Water is rushing through the pipe with force behind it. When flow stops suddenly (washing machine reaches water level) the moving water can't go forward so it tries sideways. This causes the pipe to shake and hit against the wall timbers. This pipe does not have enough pipe clips to hold it still.
Cure:
(A) Smash wall down and add more clips or padding / silicone to stop vibration. or
(B) Turn taps off slowly, Washing machine: have tap turned 1/2 turn to reduce flow speed
(C) Fit a Hammer Arrestor: this device is a cylinder full of air that is fitted to the pipe or to the wash/machine tap. When water flow stops at the machine, the water in the pipe has somewhere else to go, into the cylinder. It acts like the shock absorbers on your car.
Tip: When working on your taps, turn off the water so you don't get wet and put the plug into the basin so you don't loose a nut or screw down the plug hole.

[Nige F]

bet you learned that from a £10 Pom